Romans 2:28-29 : For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. So far as the flesh was concerned, a Jew was a Jew, no matter how he lived; but he was not God's Jew, not such a one as God would recognize, unless he was at heart true to God. Outward circumcision was necessary to a Jew, but outward circumcision was worthless unless it was accompanied by the circumcision of the heart. Circumcision of the heart is the cutting off of the stubbornness and sinful desires of the heart. So many of the Jews depended on outward appearance, but were inwardly full of corruption. In God's sight an honest-hearted Gentile was better than a corrupt Jew. Man looks on the outward appearance, and praises show and display; God looks on the heart, and praises honesty and virtue.